Dudley selectmen postpone signing IPG sewer line agreement with Oxford

Janet Stoica 
Patriot Correspondent

Multiple questions arose during Monday (March 19) night’s Selectmen’s’ meeting regarding the Town of Oxford’s sewer line agreement for IPG Photonics. Chairman Steven Sullivan and Selectmen Paul Joseph, Jonathan Ruda, and Peter Fox questioned the changes made to the sewer line construction project, designed to run from Oxford through Dudley and connect with Webster’s waste treatment system.

Chairman Sullivan asked Town Administrator Peter Jankowski about the decrease in sewer-line size that was now presented to them and how it would affect any Dudley residences along the new sewer line route if these residences wanted to tie into the new line. Louis Grzyb, Jr., Sewer Superintendent, explained the new line configurations to the Board with details on changes to the passive gravity-fed lines vs. pressure-forced lines. Selectman Joseph then recommended a vote not to accept the agreement at this time due to its current wording and to have town counsel review the agreement.

Additional items on the evening’s agenda included granting of a Class II Used Motor Vehicle License (max of 3 vehicles for sale only) to Jeffrey Dion of 157 West Main Street which is located next to the Subway sandwich shop. The lone abstention was Selectman Runkle. Selectmen also granted (with Steven Sullivan abstaining) several one-day alcohol licenses for Nichols College’s end-of-school-year events.

The Board also granted permission to use the Clarinda Wood Fund in payment of Harrington Health services in the total amount of $161.00; unanimously accepted the Annual Town Election Warrant; reviewed a preliminary lifeguard schedule; unanimously voted to allow a Candidates’ Night to be held at Town Hall on Thurs., April 26 at 7 p.m. and discussed a Board of Selectmen letter be sent to both the Bay Path Regional School District and Dudley-Charlton Regional School District urging the districts to keep annual budget requests at or below 2 ½%. Chairman Sullivan suggested that Selectman Joseph and Town Administrator Jankowski work together to draft an appropriate correspondence.

Town resident Brian Germain came before the Board to request a warrant article restricting a municipal employee from running for a municipal elected office due to conflict of interest. Selectman Joseph suggested further research be done regarding Commonwealth communities currently using such restrictions. Mr. Joseph further stated that a referendum ballot question could then streamline the process.

Police Chief Steven Wojnar was granted permission to attend the International Chiefs of Police Conference in San Diego CA in the fall of 2012 (which was being grant-funded).

The Board reviewed the change of local election dates from Monday following the first Saturday in May to the Monday following the third Saturday in June; special liquor license policy; and iPads/tablets policy. Chairman Sullivan requested that the iPad/tablet policy be put on the fast-track for consideration in view of paper-cost savings.

Katie Racicot, Student Representative, gave a presentation of school activities after which Selectman Runkle reminded the Board and general public that on Thursday, April 5, a seminar would be held at the Town Hall regarding “Vested Rights” or “grandfathering.”  Selectman Runkle required a headcount from anyone interested by Wed., March 21. Police Chief Wojnar also reminded the selectmen and general public that Saturday, April 28, was prescription drug Take Back Day to be held at the Town Hall from 10am-2pm.

Full Board present included: Chairman Steven Sullivan; Vice Chairman Paul Joseph; Selectmen Nancy Runkle, Jonathan Ruda, and Peter Fox as well as Student Representative Katie Racicot. Also in attendance: Peter Jankowski, Town Administrator, and Michelle Jervis, Administrative Secretary.